2023 Queerly Festival (Part 2)
Founded in 2014, Queerly is FRIGID New York’s annual celebration of LGBTQA+ artists. Queerly strives for diversity on and off stage, seeking out queer teams and artists of all kinds as well as a wide range of shows and performances. In light of the barrage of anti-trans legislation across the country, they are prioritizing work by or featuring trans artists as well as work that speaks to queer resilience past, present, and future.
Transhumance
A straphanger is riding the subway. When this clown arrives at their destination a sign promises INFORMATION. The suitcase is so very heavy. A mishap occurs. Pantomime is employed to entertaining effect in Transhumance. Ania Upstill is this particular clown and gender confusion is on the menu.
The information sheet shows a stick figure representation of a woman. The triangle dress. The long hair. The breasts. Our clown opens the suitcase and removes a dress. Figuring out what to do with the dress and the shoes inspires silliness and giggles. What are heels for anyway? A handbag? Hammering nails? Answering the “ring ring” of a phone?
This wordless performance continues in a lighthearted manner. After our clown gets into the lady uniform, a confidence builds. Walking becomes strutting. Then the voiceover jumps in. “Legs together,” she implores. More advice is proffered with a hopeful “let’s turn that frown upside down”. The subtext is clear.
One more subway stop leads to another visit to the information desk. This time the sheet contains a stick figure of a male. A pair of pants is all this clown needs to exude manly confidence. “Hah,” “Yah,” and “Fwah” are the sounds of this specimen. A masculine voiceover demands “go big or go home” and “let me see that swagger”.
A final subway stop will involve the peeling, eating and sharing of a tangerine plus neckerchief realness. The vibe is a delightfully breezy riff on gender norms and how binary thinking submerges individuality and creativity. The laughs are earned and the voiceover lines are consistently on point. Listen hard and you will be rewarded with “only men open jars”. A witty approach to a topical issue makes Transhumance a ride worth taking.
The Real Black Swan
Les Kurkendaal Barrett knows that numbing oneself is a way to survive in an America where George Floyd’s murder can happen. He mimics Glinda and envelops his being in a big pink bubble of protection. Drinking makes the bubble indestructible.
Today’s world is contrasted with the true story of William Dorsey Swann. A slave from birth, he was freed after the Civil War and eventually landed in Washington, D.C. In the late nineteenth century Swann organized a series of drag balls for men to gather. This self-proclaimed Queen is the first queer activist on record. That fact alone makes this tale a fascinating peek into a different time where crossdressing had to be hidden in private residences.
That did not stop the police from interfering as you would expect. These plights from yesteryear are contrasted with the realities faced by black men today. Personal experiences of police interactions are vividly told. No use challenging a falsely written ticket in court since no one would believe him. A sad but understandable conclusion.
The storyline alternates between these two elements to highlight what has changed. Frequently switching perspectives occasionally creates abrupt transitions. Clear messaging, however, makes sure the listener is wide awake to what is happening in our country with the drag bans. “We all need to get in there and fight before it’s too late while we still can”.
There is power in this performance with notably good vocalizations when multiple characters are being portrayed. Adding in the scant details of the Queen provides a truly interesting backbone which makes this piece unique. Grab your umbrella. It’s time for a cakewalk. Let your body go with the flow. You know you can do it.
The 9th Annual Queerly Festival is running downtown at the Kraine Theater from June 15 though July 3, 2023. Many shows are also available for streaming. Transhumance will be performed again on June 22nd. The Real Black Swan has another show scheduled on June 24th.